You know you should be honest in your job search, but sometimes there is information that you’d rather keep to yourself. How candid should you be with a recruiter? More or less candid than you’d be with a prospective employer? How candid should you expect a recruiter to be with you?

Here is another in a series of interviews with with my friend and colleague Stephanie A. Lloyd, a Talent Strategies Consultant and Owner of Calibre Search Group in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a National Careers + Workplace Columnist for Examiner.com and also blogs at Radiant Veracity. You can also follow Stephanie on Twitter.

Watch this space for additional interviews to learn more about what goes on on the “other side of the desk.”

How candid should a job seeker be with a recruiter? How much candor should a job seeker expect in return?

If you are working with a third-party recruiter (executive search consultant, etc.) tell him or her EVERYTHING…this includes current compensation as well as any issues that may come up in the process such as a poor credit or criminal history, etc.

I know this is difficult for some people, but in order to work effectively this has to be a trusting relationship. Without complete candor it’s not going to work.

Remember, we’re on the same side. Our job is to fill our clients’ job openings.  If you get the job it’s a win for us as well. DUIs and bankruptcies are not always a deal-breaker, but they can be if not disclosed up front…not because they’re there, but if not uncovered until the background check results come back, the hiring manager may feel blindsided and question your integrity.

Do you need help with your search? Follow this link to learn how I can help propel your job hunt!

Did you miss these?

1. The other side of the hiring desk, pt 1: Who should use a recruiter? Not everyone should plan to work with a recruiter for...
2. The other side of the hiring desk, pt 4: How to work with a recruiter without becoming a stalker You don't want to hassle and stalk your recruiter! Tips...
3. The other side of the hiring desk, pt 2: What job seekers should NOT expect from a recruiter What not to expect when you work with a recruiter!...
4. The other side of the hiring desk, pt 6: How to turn a recruiter into a fan! If you turn your recruiter into a fan, there's no...
5. The other side of the hiring desk, pt. 7: How a recruiter uses LinkedIn Do you know how a recruiter uses LinkedIn to find...

Comments

1. July 10th, 2009: Marguerite Granat Says:
   

   Stephanie, I agree with your response to the issue of candidness. The more the recruiter knows, the smoother the process. When there are no surprises everyone wins.
   Marguerite Granat´s last blog ..Choosing Integrity over Self Interest

2. July 11th, 2009: Sandra Says:
   

   I recently wondered if I made the right decision in being candid with a recruiter. I told him one reason that I was searching for another job was that my company recently enacted a wage decrease. When I told him the amount, he responded something to the effect of “Oh thats not much, others have cut far more”. I felt as though he was labeling me as being a money snob or something.

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